Alashanmeng

Alxa League has a large temperature difference between day and night, so bring sun protection and a warm jacket when traveling in the desert.

Desert and Salt Lake Crossing

• Tengger Five Lakes Crossing: Venture deep into the desert, passing Swan Lake, Wulan Lake (the Heart of the Earth), Camel Lake and other sites in sequence. The entire route requires a rugged off-road vehicle, and aerial photography makes it easier to see the overall shape of the red salt lakes.

• Dream Desert Highway: This highway connects Yinchuan with Alxa Left Banner, winding between stretches of dunes. You may encounter camel herds along the way, and there are suitable places to stop for photos during a self-drive trip.

• Moon Lake: This officially developed 4A-rated scenic area lies deep in the desert, with turquoise-green water. Activities include camel rides and sand sliding, making it suitable for visitors who want a more relaxed desert experience.

Poplar Forests and Gobi Hideaways (Ejina Banner)

• Heicheng–Ruoshui Poplar Forest: The scenic area includes the Oil Painting Forest, Seven-Color Forest and Mirror of the Sky Forest. Their reflections are clearly visible on the water, making this one of Ejina Banner’s main poplar forest attractions.

• Strange Tree Forest: The stark, weathered dead poplars in the Gobi create a desolate yet imposing landscape, ideal for sunset photography and atmospheric desert-themed images.

Cultural Sites and Ancient-Town Charm

• Dingyuan Camp Ancient City: A landmark ancient city in Alxa Left Banner, where you can climb the city wall to view the night scenery. Nearby Yanfu Temple has finely detailed architecture, and many areas are free to visit.

• Alxa Desert Strange Stone Museum: Nearly 100 stalls selling unusual stones are spread outside the museum. You can choose agate, vein stones and other materials while taking in the local stone-trading atmosphere.

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival and First Look at the Ancient City

After arriving in Alxa Left Banner (Bayan Hot Town), check into your hotel and rest. In the afternoon, visit Dingyuan Camp Ancient City to learn about the history of this pass on the ancient Silk Road. At dusk, climb the city wall to admire Alxa’s night view. In the evening, dine near the ancient city and try Mongolian cuisine and lamb shaomai.

• Day 2: Crossing the Five Lakes Deep in the Desert

Head to Dream Desert Park in the morning, switch to a rugged off-road vehicle and enter the Tengger Desert for the Five Lakes Crossing, passing Swan Lake, Wulan Lake and other sites along the way. After finishing the desert trip, visit the Alxa Desert Strange Stone Museum to choose some agate. You can camp under the desert stars at night or return to town to rest.

• Day 3: Desert Highway and Departure

Drive yourself or hire a car along the Dream Desert Highway, stopping at safe locations to take photos and enjoy the highway’s broad desert scenery. If you have enough time, add a trip to Moon Lake and try a camel ride before heading home.

Recommended Places to Stay

Must-Try Local Foods

Transportation and Travel Tips

• Getting There: You can first fly to Yinchuan Hedong Airport or Zhongwei Shapotou Airport, then rent a car or hire a vehicle to Alxa Left Banner; the drive takes about 2 hours. To visit the poplar forests in Ejina Banner, you will need to continue driving about 6–7 hours from Bayan Hot.
• Local Transportation: Attractions across Alxa League are far apart, and there is usually no mobile signal deep in the desert. It is recommended to hire a vehicle with a rugged off-road vehicle and guide, or drive yourself only if you have experience. Ordinary two-wheel-drive sedans and private cars are unsuitable for entering the deep desert and can easily get stuck.

Pitfalls to Avoid and Things to Note

• Preventing Motion Sickness on the Five Lakes Crossing: Desert off-road driving is very bumpy, and crossing dunes can create a feeling of weightlessness, making motion sickness likely. Take motion sickness medicine half an hour beforehand, sit in the front passenger seat if possible, and avoid looking down at your phone.
• Sun Protection and Hydration: Desert UV rays are strong and the temperature difference between day and night is large. Bring a windproof jacket or light down jacket for the morning and evening, as well as plenty of drinking water and electrolyte drinks.
• Respect the Desert: Do not drive into the deep desert on your own if you lack desert-driving experience. Some sections of the Dream Desert Highway and other routes have no mobile signal, so download offline maps before setting out.
• Poplar Forest Season: The best time to see the poplar forests in Ejina Banner is from late September to mid-October each year. Accommodation prices rise during this period, so book at least 2 weeks in advance.
• Respect Local Customs: When visiting temples or passing a herders’ ovoo, follow local religious and cultural customs. Do not step on or damage the surrounding vegetation.